I don’t want you to think I’ve been neglecting my pumpkin spice devotion, seeing as how it’s now October, and therefore officially pumpkin season.
SO MANY PUMPKINS EVERYWHERE. One can’t even whip her high pony without bumping into one, and I still have mad love for pumpkin spice, as demonstrated by this look, which I call “Pumpkin Spice Jewels.”
A few things I learned in the process of doing my makeup…
1. This Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino will shake you to the core
Or, should I say, “shake your core”? Because when I’d finished about half of it my body literally started shaking from all the caffeine.
I’d never had one of these before. It’s just a pumpkin version of a regular frap (like the other drinks I’ve tried in this series, I got the recipe from theMacroBarista on Instagram).
I could only finish half of it because I couldn’t take any more caffeine. I dunno… Maybe you’re made of stronger stuff than I am, but if not and you’re also a wimp when it comes to caffeine, you can still admire it from afar (because it’s certainly nice to look at).
2. I may need to build an alter to worship Charlotte Tilbury
Her stuff is so spendy, but when it comes to that effortless, dewy skin-that-looks-like-skin, C.T. has that game on lock. I’m wearing her new Magic Away Liquid Concealer ($32) and Genius Magic Powder ($45) in this look, and I didn’t really have to do any of the buffing, blending and dabbing that’s usually involved in achieving a no-makeup makeup look.
I just swiped a concealer wand on my face (I’m wearing shade 8 underneath my eyes and shade 9 on the rest of my face), blended with my fingers, then dusted a sheer veil of the powder with a fluffy brush, which took all of two minutes.
I love how my skin looks when I wear C.T.’s stuff. Like, I can’t even tell I’m wearing makeup, and it doesn’t budge. Not one bit.
3. Green liner + Purple lips + Gold glitter = totally works
Note to self: Remember this jewel-toned combo, because it totally works with warm orange-brown shadows (I’m wearing the Urban Decay Born to Run palette, by the way).
I played with shimmery green liner, purple metallic lips, and gold glitter on the lids here because I really wanted to “go for it” and do more of a LEWK, but if I were to translate this into something I’d wear to, say, the mothers club potluck I went to last night (side note: The Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel Brownies were a success), then I’d swap the metallic lipstick for a sheer purple gloss, line just my upper lash line with the green (so no water lines), and do a tiny dot of the glitter in the inner corners.
If ya wanna recreate this look, I also used MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Atomized on my lips, rimmed my eyes with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Overdrive, and dabbed Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Stargazer in the center of my lids.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Linda Libra Loca says
Your skin really looks amazing, I could have sworn there was no product on it.
Karen says
YAY! That’s what I was going for. 🙂
Krystal says
Wow, your skin does look AMAZING. I’m loving the whole look. Are you using the liquid concealer as a base all over or only on spots? I’d be interested in hearing more about how you did your skin.
Karen says
Hi Krystal,
Thanks, lady! Let’s see… I started off with the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Customizable Complexion Booster, which is more like a very sheer skin tint (so not a lot of coverage). Dotted a little bit ion my cheeks, forehead, chin, then buffed it in with a Real Techniques buffing brush. Gave it about 5 minutes to set and dry. Then I dotted the shade #9 of the liquid concealer onto my cheeks and around the base of my nose, which are the areas I like to have more coverage on (I purposefully leave the bridge of my nose bare so the freckles can peek through; I think strategically leaving areas of skin exposed helps when you’re wearing base makeup, but trying to look like you’re not wearing it), blended that in with the same Buffing Brush. Let that set for a few minutes, then I dusted the powder all over my face with a big fluffy brush. I tried to use as little as possible to avoid a “powdery” look. Let me know if you have any more questions about the products. I think they’re fabulous!
Kim says
You look very bejeweled! I’m glad to hear that the brownies were a hit. I hope you also had a nice time. 🙂
Diana says
Oh you are inspiring me today! Your skin is amazing!! And I never thought to do a purple tone lip with the green/gold eyes so gorgeous! Especially with your jewel toned plaid shirt, I want that shirt!
I wanted to get her Magic Powder, does it work like Laura Mercier setting powder or like Hourglass?
Jade says
New to the setting powder scene, I’ve been using only finishing powder for years. What’s different in how the two perform?
Karen says
Hi Jade,
It depends on the brand, because some lines use the term setting powder and finishing powder interchangeably. But generally setting powder refers to the powder you use right after foundation to lock it down and keep it from moving. Finishing powders are kinda like a fun bonus. They’re intended to be used on top of setting powder for a hyper-perfected look, although I know many people use them to just set their foundation.
Jade St. Pierre says
Thanks Karen!
Karen says
You’re welcome, Jade. Feel free to ask any more questions if you have them. Happy to help!
Karen says
Hi Diana,
Yeah, it’s in the same category as those powders. Magic Powder sets foundation and concealer, mattes down the skin, diffuses the appearance of pores, and it also adds a very subtle radiance to the skin (it’s not shimmery, by any means, but it does add a little something something). I think what makes it different is that it’s much finer; I rarely like to wear powder underneath my eyes because everything looks cake-y, but this didn’t.
Suzanne C says
I’ve been wondering if the Charlotte Tilbury makeup lived up to the hype. (I kind of thought it might.) Love this look so much!! I finally nailed the purple smoky eye this week and now you’ve inspired me to throw just the teeniest smidge of that green UD eyeliner up in the mix.
Also, that shirt is fabulous. Downright Fall-tastic. 🙂
Do you know, I had not tried anything pumpkin spice until last night? It just didn’t seem like it would taste good. But Little Bit got an iced pumpkin spice frap and gave me a taste. It was actually delicious, so I guess I’ve joined the cult now.
Karen says
If you ever feel like sending me pics of your looks feel free! 🙂
And yay, glad to hear you are on Team #PSL! The original is always good, but so are these other versions I’ve been trying.
P.S. RE: Charlotte Tilbury. I may or may not have just put a few things in my Sephora cart!!!
Miki Nyckel says
Love the look! And I love purple lips. Awesome.
I tried the recipe you provided for Pumpkin Spice yesterday. Although I changed it to an americano misto (I don’t drink cold coffee personally). It was so good!! I loved it. Although I did one pump of pumpkin and one pump of vanilla (I don’t like it too sweet). Thanks for the tip! It’s my new go to. ??
Karen says
Hi Miki,
So glad you like the drink it! Good idea to do one pump of the pumpkin and vanilla. 🙂
Rachel Runyan says
Beautiful look! Your skin looks magnificent. I’ve heard CT’s powder is really good.
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
It’s exceptional! Very fine and you can’t even tell that it’s on.
Debbie says
Just read this post in detail – I know, sooo slow 😉
Anywho, I struggle with powders as I wear bronzer and never want to look too “powdery”…would one apply this powder and then bronzer, blush, or the other way? and what about highlighter?
So many products I’ve used over the years but NEVER mastered setting/finishing powder.
Karen says
Hi Debbie,
I would typically do powder, bronzer, blush and highlighter. But ultimately, for me, it really depends on the finish of the product. If I know the highlighter has a lot of shine, then sometimes I’ll layer it underneath a 50/50 mix of bronzer and blush.
Totally understand not wanting to look too powdery. Have you ever tried MAC Fix+ Spray? It really helps with that issue.